JASPER, IN – U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) released the following statement regarding the news that, if elected, former Vice President Joe Biden will nominate Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS):
“As a Main Street entrepreneur who lowered the cost of healthcare for his own employees, I have serious concerns about Xavier Becerra’s ability to lead Health and Human Services because he has accepted over $1,000,000 in donations from the big healthcare industry has a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood. While Democrats boycotted the hearing for President Trump’s HHS nominee, I will meet with Xavier Becerra to ask how his political donations from insurance companies and his support for abortions and Medicare for All makes him qualified to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services.” – Senator Mike Braun
BACKGROUND
On January 31, 2017, Senate Democrats delay the committee vote on President Trump’s HHS Secretary. “U.S. Senate Democrats on Tuesday postponed votes on several of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees, citing their responsibility to do a “thorough vetting,” while Republicans accused them of unreasonable delays in considering the picks. (Reuters, 01/31/17)
On January 31, 2017, Senate Democrats boycotted President Trump’s HHS nominee.
“In a surprise turn of events, Senate Democrats announced Tuesday morning that they are boycotting a committee vote on two of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees, drawing fury from Republicans across the aisle. The Senate Finance Committee was set to vote on the nominations of Rep. Tom Price to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and Steve Mnuchin for Treasury Secretary.” (CNN, 01/31/17)
According to Open Secrets, Xavier Becerra has accepted over $1,000,000 from insurance companies and hospitals. (Open Secrets, Accessed 12/07/20)
